Anti-racism Resource List
/A collection of resources on racism and social injustice
Book lists, who to follow, and other resources to educate yourself
This post serves to gather and share valuable educational resources on racism and social injustice in one place. A place to start. I’m compiling the resources I am using (and want to use) and sharing the sources to the knowledge I am acquiring in once space. For me and for you.
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A collection of resources on racism and social injustice #blacklivesmatter #revolution #education #antiracism
I’m not an expert and I’m not speaking for anyone, rather amplifying the right voices. I’m just here to point you in the right direction. Why?
Because there is a lot of information to sift through. Because it’s hard to track everything if you don’t keep up. Because Instagram stories only last 24 hours, ‘link in bio’s’ change every time a new article is linked. Because I have too many tabs open on my browser. Because I have names and links jotted down on a piece of scrap paper.. Because I’ve had a lot of conversations with different friends about what books we should read, how do we talk to our kids, which books for kids are we reading? Because I personally will appreciate having an organized space to access lots of material all in one place, to check out and educate myself on my own time (not while scrolling aimlessly), when I can fully invest my attention.
In this post you will find book lists, links to other various resources I’ve found useful, action to take, and places to donate. I hope these recommendations and resources help you too.
Anti-racism resource list: what to read
BOOKS
Not all books by and about black people are about politics and racial injustice. Some are happy or interesting books about happy or interesting people. Diversify your bookshelf.
Where to buy:
Shop local. Check in with your local bookstore for what they have in stock or what they may be able to order for you. You can also check with the book publisher or author websites (if they have them), some sell books direct from their website.
The Libby App by Overdrive: borrow and read ebooks and audiobooks from your local public library for free.
Fiction/Non-fiction I’ve read and recommend
On my reading list
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor
By Layla F. Saad
A 28-day workbook. A book to do, not to read.
Between the World and Me
Ta-nehisi Coates
A letter from a father to this son exploring America’s racial history
How to be an Anti-racist
Ibram X. Kendi
“The most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind.”—The New York Times
The Skin We’re In: A year of black resistance and power
By Desmond Cole
Cole chronicles just one year—2017—in the struggle against racism in this country. Month-by-month, he creates a comprehensive picture of entrenched, systemic inequality.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People to Talk about Racism
By Robin DiAngelo
Robin DiAngelo is a white American academic, lecturer, and author working in the fields of critical discourse analysis and whiteness studies. In White Fragility she exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
So You Want to Talk About Race
By Ijeoma Oluo
"Oluo gives us--both white people and people of colour--that language to engage in clear, constructive, and confident dialogue with each other about how to deal with racial prejudices and biases." —National Book Review
My group chat is lit. These are books my friends recommend checking out!
Girl, Woman, Other
By Bernadine Evaristo
Wow, No Thank You: Essays
By Samantha Kirby
From Scratch
By Tembi Locke
Razing Africville
By Jennifer J. Nelson
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
By Austin Channing Brown
Deacon King Kong
By James McBride
Children’s books celebrating black culture, starting conversations about race, diversity, inclusivity, and empathy
Where to buy:
Shop local. Check in with your local bookstore for what they have in stock or what they may be able to order for you. You can also check with the book publisher or author websites (if they have them), some sell books direct from their website.
Woozles Children’s Bookstore in Halifax has curated collections of books on Talking About Race and Racism With your Kids and Great Books by Black Authors on their website.
If you have a subscription to Epic! Books for Kids online they have two curated collections, one to celebrate black culture and one to start a conversation about race.
The Libby App by Overdrive: borrow and read ebooks and audiobooks from your local public library for free.
Africville
By Shauntay Grant, Art by Eva Campbell
Groundwood Books
Theme: Prejudice and Racism
Ages 4-7
Up Home
By Shauntay Grant, Art by Susan Tooke
Nimbus Publishing
Theme: autobiography, culture, ethnicity
Ages 3-10
The City Speaks in Drums
By Shauntay Grant, Art by Susan Tooke
Nimbus Publishing
Theme: culture, ethnicity
Ages 3-10
Viola Desmond Won’t be Budged
By Jody Nysaha Warner, Art by Richard Rudnicki
Groundwood Books
Theme: African Canadian History, racism and prejudice
Ages 5-9
Meet Viola Desmond
By Elizabeth MacLeod, Art by Mike Deas
Scholastic Canada Ltd.
Theme: racism and prejudice, African Canadian history
Ages 6-10
Get up, Stand Up
Based on the song by Bob Marley, adapted by Cedella Marley, art by John Jay Cabuay
Chronicle Books
Theme: injustice, self-esteem, kindness, courage
Ages: 4-7
Intersection Allies: We make room for all
By Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Councul, Carolyn Choi
Dottir Press
Theme: friendship, girls, women
Ages 6-12
Not My Idea A Book About Whiteness
By Anastasia Hgginbotham
Dottir Press
Themes: prejudice, racism, values
Ages 8-12
Ada Twist, Scientist
By Andrea Beaty, Art by David Roberts
Harry N. Abrams
Themes: technology
Ages: 4-7
The Snowy Day
By Ezra Jack Keats
Penguin Young Readers Group
Themes: childhood wonder, weather. The very first full-colour picture book to feature a small black hero, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal
Ages: 2-4
Not all of the following books are written by black authors or are celebrating black culture specifically. They focus on differences, empathy, and diversity.
I am Human: A Book of Empathy
By Susan Verde, Art by Peter H Reynolds
Harry N. Abrams
Theme: Empathy, compassion, humanity
Ages: 4-8
A celebration of empathy and compassion that lifts up the flawed fullness of humanity and encourages children to see themselves as part of one big imperfect family—millions strong.
We’re Different, We’re the Same
Sesame Street
Random House Publishing
Theme: our differences
Ages: 3-7
Sesame Street friends help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside, and it''s our differences that make this wonderful world, which is home to us all, an interesting—and special—place.
What Makes Us Unique? Our First Talk About Diversity
By Dr. Jillian Roberts, art by Cindy Revell
Orca Book Publishers
Themes: Prejudice & Racism
Ages 3-5
An accessible introduction to the concept of diversity, teaching children how to respect and celebrate people's differences.
Dr. Coo and the Pigeon Protest by Sarah Hampson
By Sarah Hampson, Art by Kass Reich
Kids Can Press
Themes:
Ages 3-7
A sweet analogy to give kids a perspective on what protests are about, and ways to make change (for example - writing to the mayor)
Everybody’s Different on Everybody Street
By Sheree Fitch, Art by Sydney Smith
Nimbus Publishing
Themes: depression, mental Illness, homelessness, poverty
Ages 4-8
Sheree Fitch's playful words lead you into this beautiful children's book and invite you to celebrate our gifts, our weaknesses, our differences, and our sameness.
How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow
By Monica Sweeney, art by Feronia Parker-Thomas
Sky Pony Press
Themes: Friendship, differences, working together
Ages 3-6
Teaches the importance of teamwork and perseverance through seven crayons with unique personalities and their desire to see the world in colour.
It’s never to early to start Talking About Race and Racism With your Kids #antiracism #blacklivesmatter #starthemyoung
Other resources
To watch:
Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a Town Hall for kids & families with CNN and Sesame Street. I encourage you to watch this with your kids, especially if they are younger. Mine were excited to ‘take-part’ by watching and talking about it with us. Rosie (age 4) puttered around the room while this was one, and Anna (age 6) was completely engaged. It doesn’t sugar coat anything, but it is aimed at children. It discusses racism, inclusivity, empathy, white privilege, even explaining why kids are out on the streets during a pandemic, with questions from all walks of life and familiar, friendly characters, fielded by experts.
13th: Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 97% based on 93 reviews. Available on Netflix.
When They See Us: A four-part miniseries created, co-written, and directed by Ava DuVernay. Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they're falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. Based on the true story. Available on Netflix.
Articles to read:
What Happened to Sasha Exeter - LaineyGossip. This is an interesting insight from seniority at Bell Media.
Why Defunding the Police is the Best Way to Protect Black Lives -Refinery29
Make Change:
Sign a petition: do a search on change.org for an issue or topic that resonates with you and give it some support.
Email your local city councillor. In Halifax there’s an election scheduled this fall. Email your councillor and engage in a conversation about where they stand on anti-racism issues. Find your local Halifax councillor here.
New accounts I follow on Instagram
This movement is about activism and justice but it’s also about diversifying life on every level, from the top executives at huge corporations down to your own social circles. You can start by diversifying your Instagram feed so it’s not just yourself reflected back at you. I did this and encourage you to do the same. Look at who you are following and add diverse voices and perspectives. Every top Influencer I followed is white. Every business coach and mentor - white. Every Interior Design account - white. I follow black celebrities but that was about it. When you know better, do better.
@laylafsaad Author of Me and White Supremacy
@tracy.duru Email mentor and copywriter
@theconsciouskid Parenting and Education through a Critical Race Lens
@mr1loveTO Reporter and TV Host
@kathleennb Writer (Refinery29, LaineyGossip) and TV Producer
@averyfrancis HR + Talent advisory for startups
@embracerace Community of support for raising a brave generation
@tinyhousecalls Interior Designer
@racherlcargle Writer and Activist
@mspackyetti Activist, Educator, Writer
@TheRebelMama A “mom blog” for the rest of us
@sir_twitch_alot Artist.Husband.Father.Son.Brother. SmileSpreader.
@Oprah Magazine O the Oprah Magazine
@Andand44 Nova Scotian Filmmaker and Economics Nerd. Founder of FortyFour Consulting
Donate
Here are a few links to organizations you could consider supporting. Or, check into the resources you are using and find out if you can support the creators for their valuable time and efforts into the work they are doing. Pay them for their work. Some have GoFundMe accounts or work or champion specific organizations and you can make a donation there.
Canadian Association of Black Journalists
Follow me on Instagram @theheatherchronicles
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